Ionia County Athlete of the Week

Jesse Smith, son of Edward and Dawn Smith, is this week's Ionia County Athlete of the Week. The Portland St. Patrick senior is a member of the Shamrock football and basketball teams.

Out of the sports you play, which one is your favorite? Why?

Football is my favorite sport because it's fun to see all the hard work I have put into it over the years pay off.

How did you start playing sports?

When I was six my dad and uncle coached seventh and eighth grade football. I probably learned nothing from going to all the practices with them, but running through the conditioning with the team got me hooked and then eventually in seventh grade I started playing.

Who do you try to emulate in your life? Why?

I have been around some incredibly hard workers (Paul Pung, David Simon, Josh Haga, the list goes on). I would say that really has rubbed off on me and I try to lead by example like they did.

What experiences have you had in sports that have made you the athlete you are today?

I would say starting off in high school athletics and working my way up the food chain into the player I am today. Realizing that you have to start from the bottom to eventually reach the top

What has been your favorite memory of playing sports at your school? Why was it so special?

I will pick my favorite memory when I am done with high school sports completely, but up until now, my favorite has definitely been winning the regional championship in 8-Man football because we played a really tough opponent in Battle Creek St. Philip and it took a lot of work to win that game.

What is something interesting that not everybody knows about you?

A lot of people that don't live in Portland probably don't know that I spend my summers scooping ice cream for Frosty Boy.

What are your plans after high school? Do you plan on attending college?

After high school I plan on attending Western Michigan University to study mechanical engineering.